12 Play

Background

Following the success of Born into the 90's, as the member of the R&B group Public Announcement, Kelly began touring as an opening act for Gerald Levert and Glenn Jones. During the tour, Kelly said that he became frustrated with the poor lighting and empty seats during his set. To generate more attention during his set, Kelly began thinking of what would be his gimmick to take his show to the next level, something that would make people remember him. Kelly stated: "I thought about it for a couple of days, and I finally came up with a little skit, me just talking to the audience. At the point in the show where I would break down "Honey Love," I would start talking to the audience."

Hey, it was only a dream, but it was so vivid, it felt real; but in this dream, it was more than foreplay – it was 12 Play. Can I sing it for y'all? Tell y'all how it went?}}

The audience yelled "yes!" and Kelly's piano player accompanied him with chords. Kelly then began the countdown, "One. We'll go to my room of fun." The "12 Play" gimmick became so big that when Kelly went to radio stations to promote Born into the 90's, the DJs wanted to hear "12 Play". The demand for "12 Play" was so big that R. Kelly decided to create an album titled 12 Play. Kelly later said:

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.

• Timmy Allen – bass, producer
• DeAndre Boykins – rap vocals
• Bobby Broom – guitar
• Tom Coyne – mastering
• Dr. Dre – composer
• Yvonne Gage – backing vocals
• Ron Hall – bass
• Barry Hankerson – executive producer
• Bruce Hawes – composer
• Keith Henderson – guitar
• James Hoffman – digital editing
• Joseph B. Jefferson – composer
• Ray Kelley – producer
• Carey Kelly – rap vocals
• Casey Kelly – rap vocals
• R. Kelly – arranger, composer, engineer, mixing, multiple instruments, performer, producer, vocals
• Michael Logan – organ, piano
• Mike Logan – organ, piano
• Doug McBride – assistant engineer
• Peter Mokran – engineer, mixing, programming
• Michael J. Powell – guitar
• Paul Riser – string arrangements
• Robin Robinson – backing vocals
• Charles Simmons – composer
• Jim Slattery – keyboards
• Stefon Taylor – assistant engineer

Chart positions

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

Release history

References

References

1. Kot, Greg. (January 20, 1994). "Suave Chicagoan". [[Chicago Tribune]].
2. Easlea, Daryl. (2010). "R. Kelly 12 Play Review". [[BBC Music]].
3. Aaron, Charles. (December 10, 1993). "12 Play".
4. Christgau, Robert. (November 29, 1994). "Turkey Shoot". [[The Village Voice]].
5. Rossi, Terri. (April 9, 1994). "Terri Rossi's Rhythm Section".
6. Birchmeier, Jason. "12 Play – R. Kelly". [[AllMusic]].
7. Larkin, Colin. (2002). "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". [[Omnibus Press]].
8. Cromelin, Richard. (December 12, 1993). "R. Kelly, '12 Play,' Jive". [[Los Angeles Times]].
9. Harris, Keith. (2004). "The New Rolling Stone Album Guide". [[Simon & Schuster]].
10. Kelly, R.. (2012). "Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me". SmileyBooks.
11. Reynolds, J. R.. (December 10, 1994). "Career Milestones Keep Coming For Jive's Kelly".
12. "R. Kelly - 12 Play Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic".
13. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1994".
14. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1994".
15. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1995". Official Charts Company.
16. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995".
17. Duffy, Thom. (December 24, 1994). "Young U.S. Acts Turn Abroad To Drive Their Careers Home".
18. "12 Play release history". [[AllMusic]].